sir dabs alot

I'm in the same boat with shock choices. I am looking at NJB dual rate Experts, Rock Shocks and Falcon shocks. I want something better than average that will perform well and hold up. I'm 230 lbs so that may or may not be an issue.

I'm sure you're right. It would be a shame to see someone on a Sherco trials bike school an elite Endurocross rider on a KTM or Kaw. Too bad the trials manufacturers pockets aren't as deep as the big boys.....

Just curious if anyone has ridden both and could elaborate on the differences of each? Power, handling, positive and negatives of each. Sometimes more doesn't necessarily mean better. Is this the case with these?

I was thinking about 3-4 small sections set up in the middle of the course more as an intermission/half time type show with extra $$$ going to the winner. Jeff Aaron ,Taddy etc.... Maybe a gate style setup. Just a thought. Would be a good way to give trials exposure in the US.

Forgive me if I'm totally ignorant about this because I've never been to an Enduro Cross but would it be possible or feasible to have some sort of indoor trials at an Enduro Cross. I think it's probably pretty obvious to most of the people watching that a lot of the riders have a trials background. I'm just wondering if a short trials would be an option at these events?

What bars work best on a KT-250? The ones that were on it were sup high rise. Regular bars seem low and very close to me. The handlebar clamps on the triple clamps are way back near the tank.

Hey, that had a lot to do with swaying me into getting one. I always wanted one. Mines not nearly as nice as yours, WOW!!!!

I see you have a Rev-3 too, great minds..... Anyway, what you say about your TL is encouraging. i'll propbably end up with a SM pipe or an extension with a silencer on mine. I think once it's properly tuned and can breathe, it'll be OK.

Thanks! it's a lot of fun tinkering with the old bikes! i see how you guys get so into it. It really makes the modern bike feel like a miracle worker as well. I think riding the older bikes is a great training tool. They're not as refined so you have to rely on technique to pull you through! maybe once i get this like I like it i'll work on a 250 2-stroke.

A few pics.

Update: I took the tail section of the pipe off yesterday just to see if it had any effect on power and that gave it a significantly more power, so the pipe is an issue. Today I took it to a guy who knows these bikes like the back of his hand. He is going to give it a good going over and see if adjusting and putting everything back to what it should be makes enough difference as well as checking the compression. If compression is fine we'll see what the power is like with a pipe solution and go from there. I have a little more confidence that it can have enough power to pull me around after feeling it with the silencer off and seeing a few videos of other TLs that would run circles around mine.

Well, against many peoples advise that I respect I bought the little TL-125 down the street. I just couldn't help it. This was more of an emotional purchase than a logical one...... I'll probably end up with a twin shock bike that will actually haul my weight at some point but this is fun for now!!! Anyway, I always wanted one of these as a kid and always loved the way they looked. The only problem is, just like everyone warned me, this thing has no power. I think an OSET has more power than this....... Soooooo, all you TL and twin shock experts......HELP!!!!! The good: 1. Frame intact and not too beat up looking. 2. Tank OK, I have a friend who can paint the tank and frame for me. He owes me a favor and is a professional. 3. Runs OK but could run better even considering TL-125s reputation. 4. Pipe in pretty good shape. I can use it until I decide if I want something better. The rear tip had been replaced with something from another bike being welded on to where the original was. Not beautiful but not horrible. 5. Fenders are usuable but not perfect. White replacement Preston Petty Mini Mudder front and generic rear in white. 6. Chain and sprocket usable. Look to be 15-60 gearing if I counted right. 7. New seat!!!!! 8. original decent shape bars. 9. Air box looks new. 10. New kick starter and shifter rubbers, gasket kit, points and manual included. 11. General layout doesn't disturb me too badly. It's no modern bike but the peg to bars relationship is not too bad. 12. Side panels look close to new. The bad: 1. It has no power. I was warned of this but think it is worse than it could be. 2. Front forks are scary. either I need oil or heavier springs or both. I've been advised to lower the forks for better steering as well. 3. Shocks match the forks. I might be getting one inch of travel. From what I hear, that's pretty good for a TL-125. 4. The footpegs feel like I'm standing on Tootsie Rolls, the small ones!!!! Will modern pegs work on this? 5. Tires are OK but could be better. This is one of the last things I'll change because it has bigger issues right now. The Ugly: 1. Tank has dents and scratches. Could be fixed with a paint job or a Sammy Miller tank. I'll probably go with the paint jos to save $$. 2. Fenders are functional but not perfect or pretty. 3. frame has various scratches but no known cracks, dents or major damage that I can tell. My buddy will paint this for me. 4. Engine is scuffed, scratched, etc, but what do you expect from a 36 year old bike??? I may buff it out or paint it. 5.Grips, throttle, kill switch, kick starter, shifter all look prety bad but stil function OK. Wondering about a Domino throttle. I also have new rubbers for the kick starter and shifter that came with the bike. 6. Looks like a mishap happened at some point with the rear fender loop/bracket. The top bracket is gone. 7. Welded on rearsection of pipe looks bad but works for now. Questions: 1. What can I do for power? I could start with a tune up I guess; i.e. points, plug, valve adjust, timing cahin adjust, carb rebuild. 2. Anyone running a big bore kit? Which ones are good and what should I beware of? 3. What rear shocks are people going with. I found some NJB shocks. Are Betor or Works or any others a lot better? I don't have money to burn but don't want to buy crap either. 4. What would help the forks? Springs? I've heard TY fork on the TLs work well but that sounds like potentially a lot of trouble. 5. Any other advise other than sell it and buy something else...... Thanks for any help you can provide!

Any other advise on making the TL-125 run better?

Would a TL-125 haul my 230 lb a*** around???? I found one literally less than 2 miles from me.....

Wow, thanks for all of the really great replies. I'm not against a Bultaco or Ossa. I like both a lot. I know a guy with a KT that is willing to sell me at an affordable price. I always thought the '98 Bultacos were about as pretty as they got. Ossa is great too. I've never ridden either of those two makes, I'm only going by what I have heard and reputation. I had a '74 Montesa years ago and Ty's and Tl's but have no desire for another TL. I rode a Fantic not long ago that rode great but they seem a little more rare and I'm guessing parts would be as well. I recently rode a TY 250 too and it didn't do anything odd to speak of. I have a moden bike and am just looking for something to try the vintage thing out for a while.

I am considering a twinshock bike and have it narrowed down to a TY or a KT-250. The reason for these two is availability. I figure parts will be hard enough to get so that is a concern. What positives and negatives should I be aware of for these two bikes?

I took the little sump bowl/plug out the other day ans emptied and cleaned it out. I have tried in my back yard to duplicate the severe front end down angle and haven't had the same running out of gas sensation yet. I'm riding a trial tomorrow so I guess I'll find out if it worked.

I have a 2008 Rev-3 that is acting like it is running out of gas after I go down a steep embankment or similar situation. It also does it after hopping logs sometimes. The extreme up and down motion seems to do it but I think the front end being pointed downward severly is the culpret. Any ideas what's going on?

I guess they could try a speed trial too. Personally there's nothing more impressive to me than seeing someone conquer a tall, sketchy obticle without putting there foot down, I just wonder if the average American's attension span can be patient enough to watch long enough to realize the skill involved. I'm sure the announcer would have to do a sort of explaination feature to let everyone know what the object of the game is. I think once people realized they weren't supposed to put there feet down it might be more interesting to them?????

What if more trials or even a short point series was held opposite of the regular MX or Enduro season? That way enduro and MX guys could use it as their off season training.

I was just wondering if anyone has ever approached ESPN about Trials in the X-Games. Too slow ? I would think and indoor type setup might go over well......

I've got a new leftover '08 250. I had an '06 250 before that. I wasn't riding this one as well as the '06 until I put the stock pegs back on it. I tried set back pegs which worked great for me on the '06 but not at all on this one. In the end I found out the '08 were already set back compared to the '06 model. I'll probably get some after market pegs with no set back because these truly are crap. The power delivery is wonderful. I'm a former Gas Gas owner and they are lighter and narrower but the Beta is solid as a rock and once I got a little time on mine I was riding it better. Truly wonderful bikes.

Well, I think I figured it out. My problem has more to do with suspension and body positioning than power delivery. I love the power delivery on the '08 and think it is at least as smooth as the '06. I have a 10t counter shaft sprocket, the rear is stock. I had an 11t on the '06. I may try a slow throttle. I had one on my '06 and liked it. I like for my bike to be mellow with no surprises. As close to electric as possible. I don't like my suspension springy feeling either, just predictable. Anyway, when I had my '06 I had a hard time adapting to it coming from a Gasser. I put some 1/2" set back and 1/2" lower pegs on it and loved it. Well, what was the first thing I did to my '08? I put the set back pegs on it. The more I thought about it the more I realized the bike just didn't have the same fell as my '06. I thought I had my suspension too tight or maybe my rebound setting was too quick. Today I put the stock pegs back on it and rode around in the yard. It was quiet a bit easier to balance than with the set back pegs. The seems to have me more "centered" on the bike. I had read somewhere that the '07 or '08 one had gone to lower and farther back pegs. Maybe it was just the mounts were situated lower and farther back. I can't find the article now. I guess a few rides will tell the tale..... Now, back to the comment above about the V-Force reeds. The first Beta that I ever took a spin on was an '06 Rev-3 and it had V-Force reeds and I think the guy said he had it ported and polished. Maybe just polished??? I will tell you, that was the sweetest motor I have ever been on. It was soooo easy to ride, so predictable and so tractor like. Does anyone know if any jetting changes are necessary when going to the V-Force reeds and if so, how big of a hassle was it to sort it out?

I had a 2006 Rev-3 250now I have a 2008 Rev-3 250. I know there were some frame changes from '06 to '08. For what ever reason I'm just not riding the '08 as well. I pick up twice the points. My balance isn't as good on this one. Anyway, I've tinkered with suspension settings. My '06 suspension was a bit worn and soft and that may be the whole difference. Any ideas???

Thanks a ton!!!